Everlasting Love

Chapter 2

Tick-tock. Tick-Tock. Tick-Tock.

This is it. The last few seconds that seem to be lagging. I could not focus today for the life of me. There was a reason though, a very important one that any reasonable teacher would have to understand. Right?

Tonight was Lauren's party. Laruen's dad owned four McDonalds throughout the city of Orlando and to say they were rich would be an understatement. Lauren actually had a decent personality considering she is given everything she has ever wanted. For her 6th birthday, she was given a pony. I have been jealous of her ever since. Along with money, she was blessed with beautiful, long red hair and green eyes that could put Harry Styles to shame.

Along with the exhilarating feeling of an upcoming party that has unlimited free booze, Adam will be there. This is my chance to talk to him and I was practically shaking with nerves. All I could do was hope I did not blow one of the most important things in my young adult life.

When the long awaited bell finally rang, I rushed out the door and to my locker to meet Kyra.

"Hey there sexy thang," Kyra said.

"Hi hottie with a body," I replied.

Kyra and I had similar body shapes, having both played volleyball and soccer together since fifth grade. Apart from that, she had shoulder length black hair with big brown eyes that went perfectly with her baby face. As for me, I have long brown hair that reached my mid back with almost transparent blue eyes.

"Are you up for trip to the mall after our coffee run? I need something jaw dropping to wear tonight, that says I am single, but definitely not for you," Kyra said.

As I laughed at her statement, I saw Adam grabbing his backpack. Instead of looking away, like I usually did, I gave him a small wave. The only response he gave me was a head nod, but that was enough. For now. I mean we were friends once, back in elementary and middle school, but I was the one to distance myself. In my defense, I was heartbroken when he went for Joni.

Joni first moved to Orlando in 7th grade. She was the new girl. The it girl. She moved from New York City because her dad got promoted and trust me when I say every guy wanted to be with her. Adam and her just seemed to click, well that and her dad got promoted to the company that Adam's dad managed. Next thing you know, they are hanging out almost every day because Adam wanted to make her feel welcomed. Well she definitely felt welcomed when they started dating two weeks later.

Kyra and I made are way to her brand new Mini Coop she was given for good grades. I wish I was that lucky because if I was awarded for good grades like Kyra was I would have a private yacht by now. It seems like everyone in Orlando was born with a silver spoon in their mouth, but me.

After getting my much needed caramel latte we headed to our favorite outlet mall. As we were walking towards the next store, even though Kyra already had four bags of clothes from the previous stores, we saw Joni and Sarah.

I wanted to remain civil, so I tried to walk by without any acknowledgment, but instead life wanted to test me today.

"Hey, are you guys going to the party tonight?" Sarah asked us.

"Yep we will be there, but we understand if you won't Joni. I mean Adam would not miss a party especially a Lauren party," Kyra replied.

My eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. Normally Kyra is not one for confrontation, but today was a rough day for her already and Joni did not seem to make it any better.

Joni narrowed her eyes at Kyra with a slight smirk when she spoke, "I'll be there and Adam and I are fine now. He apologized for overreacting and said he could not live without me, but who could blame him."

A bullet. I have never been hit with one, but if I had to describe what I thought it would feel like it was Joni's previously spoken words. My breath was caught in my throat and I felt like I had just been punched with the gut.

Instead of allowing Kyra any time to think of a comeback Joni and Sarah turned to leave.

"You don't know if that is even true. I mean she is a bitch, she might have said that to mess with you," Kyra said trying to comfort me.

"Why would she say it if it wasn't true. I should have listened to you and made a move earlier this week," I said.

I was defeated. This was my last chance. We are nearing the middle of our senior year and I blew it. As my mind started to go a mile a minute Kyra interrupted my thoughts.

"Ash stop right now. You are going to this party and we are going to see for ourselves if Joni was lying or not. So, you are coming over and you are wearing my number one party dress," Kyra said.

"Okay fine I'll go, but if I see them sucking each other's faces off I am leaving," I said while shuddering.

I don't think I will ever be able to get that horrendous image out of my head of Joni and Adam getting it on at a New Years Eve party. It was the worst possible way the new year could have started.

When we arrived at Kyra's house we immediately went upstairs to get ready for the eventful night ahead. I started to curl my hair while Kyra immediately put on her dress that clung to her body like a second skin.

Kyra was never one to hide her body, even if her parents scolded her every night she would return in something they deemed too risky. She always told me it was worth it though. If I came home in any of the things Kyra wore to a party I would be locked in my room until I was 35 years old.

After we finished with each other's hair and makeup we made our way over to pick up Max.

"Hi, um you look good guys. Wow, yeah," Max stuttered out.

I could not help, but notice that he did not as much as glance at me because his eyes were staring adoringly at Kyra.

"Thanks, you aren't looking too bad yourself," Kyra said with a wink.

If only she knew, I sighed. Kyra was an overly flirtatious person and when it comes to Max she does not think anything of it.

As the car slowed down in front of Lauren's mansion my eyes moved to where they were already people passed out in the grass. The party started 25 minutes prior. High schoolers never missed an opportunity to make a fool about themselves.

"Ash are you okay?" Kyra asked me with worry clear in her eyes.

"Yes, I am good. I just need to talk to him and I'll feel better," I replied with as much conviction as I could possibly muster.

With one more questioning glance, Max, Kyra and I got out of the car to make our way to the grand entrance that Lauren calls a home.

I let out a deep breath as Max opened the door for us when my eyes immediately found him. He wasn't alone. At the moment, he looked up and met my gaze, but so did she. And I don't think I did a very good job at hiding my evident disgust on my face.